FIREFIGHTERS were called to a garage fire in Grays yesterday evening.

Three fire crews, from Grays, Orsett and Corringham tackled a fire in a garage which was situated between two houses at around 8.20pm.

The garage was 100 percent alight and one of the properties adjoining the garage was 50 percent smoke logged. Crews wore breathing apparatus and used one hose reel to extinguish the fire by 21:21hrs.

A thermal image camera was used to check for any remaining hotspots.

Station Officer Geoff Wheal from Corringham fire station said: "The fire started when a tumble dryer caught light in a garage.

“When we arrived at the fire, a gas cylinder used for a bbq stored in the garage had exploded, creating a fire ball and forcing the garage door off. “Luckily no one was hurt, a woman was at home when the fire broke out, she discovered the fire when the electricity went out, she safely got out of her property before we arrived.

"The property next door was affected by the smoke; crews entered the house and rescued two Yorkshire Terriers, who were unharmed by the smoke.

"Firefighters done an excellent job by quickly extinguishing the fire and containing it to the garage."